Day 7: Goodbye, Nagano

The last morning in Nagano dawned clear and bright.
Sally and Kam went down early for breakfast. The dining room smelled of miso soup and freshly brewed coffee. There were only a few guests, and the atmosphere felt calm and unhurried.

“Ready for our last day?” Kam asked, serving herself a bit of rice.
“Yeah. I want to make the most of it,” Sally replied.

After leaving their luggage prepared at the inn, they went out to explore the town center. The cool air brushed against their faces, and the morning light fell gently over the wooden buildings.

Suddenly, a boy approached them. Sally recognized him right away—it was the guide from the previous day.
“Excuse me…” he said shyly, “are you... Chun Chun Sally?”

Sally blinked, a bit surprised.
“Yes, that’s me. Why?”
“I knew it!” he exclaimed with a smile. “I watch your videos! Can I take a photo with you?”

Kam stared at him for a moment, trying to place him—then her eyes widened.
“Wait, you’re Nomad Kitchen!” she said. “You’re super popular!”

The boy laughed softly, looking a bit embarrassed.
“Yeah, that’s me. Sorry if I startled you. I’m Bastian, by the way.”
“Nice to meet you,” Sally replied with a small smile. “Of course, let’s take the photo.”

Kam asked for one too, laughing as she adjusted her phone.
“I can’t believe this,” she said. “My brother’s not gonna believe it either!”
“Happy to make his day,” Bastian replied, amused.

As they were about to say goodbye, Kam turned to him.
“Hey, we’re heading to Kiso Valley. Want to come along?”
He hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
“Are you sure I’m not intruding?”
“Not at all,” Sally added. “It’ll be fun.”

The trip to the valley was long, but the scenery made up for it—mountains blanketed in green, rice fields stretching out like mirrors, and small villages frozen in time.

During the ride, they talked about travel, local food, and funny stories from filming.
Bastian spoke with enthusiasm; Kam and Sally listened attentively.

When they arrived, the valley spread wide and serene before them.
They walked the trails, took photos, and rested at the scenic overlooks.

Sally paused, gazing at the view.
Beside her, an older man was also looking toward the horizon.
“It’s beautiful from up here,” he said softly. “Far from the city noise.”
Sally smiled.
“Sometimes that noise dulls the echoes of the heart,” she said. “It’s like it silences what we truly feel.”

The man chuckled and nodded slowly.

Kam’s voice called from the path.
“Sally! Come on!”

Sally waved goodbye to the man and went back to her friend.
Kam watched him walk away.
There was something familiar in his eyes—in their color, in his expression.
For a brief moment, she thought of Sally’s father.
But she said nothing.

“Something wrong?” Sally asked.
“No, it’s nothing,” Kam replied, and they kept walking.

At noon, the three of them ate at a small restaurant in the valley—local dishes, soba and tempura.
Their conversation was light and cheerful. They laughed often, talking about what they’d enjoyed most about the trip.

When the day ended, they said goodbye to Bastian at the station.
“Thanks for joining us,” Sally said.
“Thanks for inviting me,” he replied. “I’m really glad we met.”

They exchanged numbers before parting ways.
Kam waved as Bastian’s train departed.

Back at the inn, they packed what little remained.
Kam looked around.
“It was a good trip,” she said.
“Yeah,” Sally replied, closing her backpack. “We needed it.”

They headed to the station. The train waited, ready to take them back to Kyoto.

During the ride, Kam watched the scenery for a long while before speaking.
“Sally… do you remember if your dad or mom was from Nagano?”
“My dad,” she answered, eyes still on the landscape.

Kam smiled faintly.
“No reason. I was just curious.”

She glanced at Sally quietly.
She didn’t say what she was thinking.
She kept the secret.

Because more than certainty, she felt that behind Sally—there was still something she didn’t quite understand.
And she wanted to.
To understand what she felt.
Why, before this trip, Sally had missed school without explanation.

The train kept moving. Outside, the scenery slowly changed.
Kam closed her eyes.
“Soon… I’ll find out,” she thought.